Commander's Open Door Policy

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:06:16 -0400

What would you do if a Soldier is given the runaround by their company commander to resolve a personal issue and not allowing the Soldier to make an appointment to see the next higher level commander using the Open Door Policy?

Response by CPT Dave Shephard made Jun 20 at 2014 11:44 AM

CPT Dave Shephard — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:44:21 -0400

Get the 1SG involved. Have the Soldier's PSG discuss it with the 1SG without creating a divisive environment. One of two things should result. 1) The 1SG will be able to discuss it with the Company CDR and compel him (in various ways - depends on the CDR / 1SG relationship) to schedule an open door meeting with the next higher level. Or 2) the 1SG will be able to discuss it with the CSM who can offer "mentorship" to the Company CDR either by himself or through the Battalion CDR.

Overall, I would discourage walking into the next higher Commander's office unless you get stonewalled by both the PSG, 1SG, and CDR. You can also ask your PSG to talk to the CSM if both the 1SG and CDR aren't cooperative. In my experience, CSMs have incredible influence (both direct and indirect)

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jun 20 at 2014 12:05 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:05:56 -0400

A few comments about a commander's open door policy in general and your question in particular:
- All commanders are required to have an open door policy IAW AR 600-20 Army Command Policy, Para 2-2. The timing, conduct, and specific procedures of the open door policy are determined by the commander.
- An open door policy is not just a memorandum, it is an action. Therefore a subordinate commander who denies a Soldier the opportunity to use a higher commander's open door policy is violating the spirit, if not the letter, of the higher commander's policy.
- Soldier issues should always be resolved at the lowest level possible.
- Most commands I have been in, it was a requirement for a Soldier to see the senior NCO (1SG, CSM) before seeing the commander. This requirement resulted in either the senior NCO being able to resolve the problem on behalf of the commander or for the senior NCO to be informed and thus better able to advise the commander when the Soldier saw the commander.
- Long story short, I do not think a subordinate commander has the authority to deny a Soldier the opportunity to see the next higher commander. Therefore, if I were the Soldier, I would go ahead and make an appointment with the next higher commander. I would be prepared, however, to deal with any potential fallout from taking this action. A Soldier who escalates an issue in the hope of getting to a level of command who will provide the Soldier the answer that he/she wants is not properly conducting EOF. This is a version of a kid going to Mom or Dad if one already provided an answer that the kid does not like.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 1:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 13:51:36 -0400

I am going to somewhat deviate, I am going to assume that the soldier has walked it up the Chain and now is in the predicament of the original question. If at this point the Commander is ducking the issue or not making the appropriate time for the Soldier. I know sometimes mission or other issues may preclude the Commander from dropping everything and seeing the soldier immediately. But the Commander should be able to set up an appointment to speak to the Soldier.

If that isn't being done, the Soldier should approach the next higher Commander's office assistant explain the situation, request an appointment with that Commander, 9 times out of 10 the senior Commander will make that appointment and will make inquiries as to why the subordinate Commander hasn't seen the Soldier.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 9:46 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 21:46:07 -0400

I'm going to assume that the entire COC has been involved/notified before the company commander dodged the request. At this point, since the COC is aware, then it's a simple matter of going to the next lower ranking officer/Senior NCO and requesting to see the next senior ranking Officer above the company commander. Now, this seems to be an Army unit involved so I don't know the in's-n-out's of the COC for the Army - so I may be steppin on toes.

Admittedly, there may be issues that are not obvious regarding the company commanders available. I think the next ranking (above) officer would be more cognizant of the company commanders situation and may be in a perfect position to manage the matter.

Being Navy - it's not always easy - sometimes the next higher is several thousand miles away, if that close. I've really rarely seen anything that can't properly be handled by the Goat Locker. As a First Class I can honestly tell you I was embarrassed when I had to talk with my Div Chief or Div Officer to handle something. Of all the thousands of request chits I ever received I only walked one up to Flag level and I did that one deliberately.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2014 11:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 23:56:50 -0400

I'd let the 1SG or CSM know there is an issue with getting an open door meeting and I'm sending the soldier 1 step higher up the chain. I always give warning when I'm about to go over someone's head and 90% of the time the warning is enough to get an audience at the level I'm seeking for myself or the soldier. Also the warning prevents anyone from being blind sided

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2014 5:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 05:50:14 -0400

I don’t know the whole situation and all the details but at some point in time you are going to have to go above you Commander. The issue is obviously big enough if it is being brought up to him. If he doesn’t know how to deal with it or simply refuses to do so, it needs to go up a level. In my experience just a simple “Hey sir, PFC XXXXXX is going to go use the BN CDR’s Open Door Policy” is enough to get them moving. No commander wants to be the one who couldn’t resolve a Soldier issue. I understand taking care of it at the lowest level but Soldier care should be the priority.
On the other side of the coin though Commanders do have a lot on their plate and that is where the 1SG comes in to play. The 1SG should be your main point of contact in seeing if the issue is being handled or not. Once again a quick “Hey, Heads up” will usually get the ball moving in the right direction.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2017 3:46 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 15:46:32 -0500